Timing device and process of manufacturing the same



. 1617,905 b' B. U. H]LLS TIMIIiG DEVICE AND PROCESS OF MANUFACTURINGTHE SAME Filed Feb. 11, 1921 Patented Feb. 15, 1 927.

PATENT OFFICE.

'BURTON.U. HILLS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TIMING AND 'IROCEEiS O33 MANUFACTURING THE SAME.

Application filed February 11, 1921. Serial No. 444,174.

My invention belongs'to that general class ofdevices known as timers ortiming devices for internal combustion engines, and an improved processof manufacturing the same. As is well known, timing devices, or timersas they are enerally known, are adapted for successive y conducting anelectricalcurrent to the several sparking devices from [a commonconductor, and thereby '10 igniting the charges in the cylinders andenergizing the engine. The invention has among its objects theproduction of a device of the kind described that is simple, convenient,compact, durable, efficient, re-

, liable and satisfactory for use wherever vfound applicable. It alsohas particularly "as an'obj act the production of a device which maybeeconomically manufactured, and which will-not easily get out of orderor be affected by weather conditions. Many other objects and advantagesof the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art from the disclosure herein given. 1 To this end myinvention consists in the novel construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularlypointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding P n Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved devicemounted for use;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of my imp ved device looking from the rearside "thereof;

Fig. 3 is a crosssectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig.2; Fi' 4 is across sectional view taken subfstantially through theoperating shaft and sleeve, illustrating the retaining pin connectingtheparts together; and

1 Fig.5 is a perspective view of a contact and conducting member carriedby the rotor. Referring to the drawings, in which the preferredembodiment of my invention is shown, 1 represents the timer drivingshaft driven in the usual or any preferred man- 5 her, not necessary todescribe in detail, having'mountedthereon a rotor 2 formed of fiber or'othefr non-conducting material, as will-be hereinafter described. Therotor is preferably circular in form, and is mounted upon a sleeve 3formed of brass or other suitable electric conducting material, which isin turn secured to the shaft 1 in any preferred manner. As illustrated,the sleeve is detachably secured on and prevented from rotating on theshaft by means of a pin 5, which projects through a slot or theequivalent opening in one wall of the sleeve into the shaft, the sleeveprojecting beyond the face of the disk a slight distance, as mostclearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A cap or cover 6, preferably ofmetal, incloses the projecting end of the sleeve 3 and pin 5, retainingthe pin in place, and is preferably. of a length .to engage with theface of the body of the rotor, the extreme edge of the cap beingpreferably flanged so as to lie against the rotor. The cap 6 ismaintained in position on the shaft and against the rotor, maintainingthe rotor firmly in place, by means of a suitable nut 7 or equivalentmeans mounted upon the extreme end of the shaft.

This construction is not only particularly simple and inexpensive, butthe rotor is operatively and securely maintained in a predeterminedposition upon the shaft both circumf-erentially and longitudinally ofthe end of the sleeve, being positively held against the shoulder uponthe shaft, as, shown. This construction also requires that the rotor bealways applied in a predetermined manner, as will be hereinafterdescribed, thereby preventing improper aissembly of the parts.

in the form of device shown, the rotor2is circular in form, aspreviously mentioned, or that is, substantially cylindrical, the outeredge of which has a face of non-conducting material except at the pointwhere a contact member is positioned. This electricconductor or contactmember consists in the preferred construction of a sheet metal plate 9,formed with an extension 10 through which an opening 11 is provided of asize to closely lit the sleeve. The same may be secured on the sleeve inany suitable manner, and in the construction-shown, I have provided alug 12 adapted to fit in a recess in the flange 3 of the sleeve. Theflange 3 maintains the plate in contact with the rotoror disk, while thelug in engagement with the notch therein prevent-s relative rotation ofthe sleeve and the plate. The plate 9 is flanged or bent over as at 13at the outer end so as to overlie the edge of the disk, the extreme edgebeing flanged as at 14 to overlie the opposite face of the rotor. Asmost clearly shown in Figure 2, the disk is recessed at its edge so the.the portion 13, which conforms to the periphery of the rotor, issubstantially flush with the face of the edge.

I prefer to construct the disk or rotor 2 of a body of suitable nonconducting material such as bakelite or preferably a spe cia'llyprepared and treated fiber possessing great hardness and rigiditywithout sacrificing any of its non-conducting qualities. 1 might saythat I prefer generally to use a fiber made up of cotton, worked intopaper. I also prefer to use the fiber in substantially thin disks orsheets or laminae, which are arranged face to face and forced togetherunder high pressure so as to provide substantially a "unitary structure.Either before or after the pressure forming of the disk or rotor, Isuitably size, treat or impregnate the fiber so that it is substantiallymoistureproof. This treatment may consist of any suitable lubricant orlubricating oils or a combination .of oils. Obviously, any additionalbinder desired may be arranged between the laminae, but generally thesizing or lubricant will serve as a binder, and the great pressureapplied in forming of the rotor will cause the parts to be unitedpermanently and form substantially a unitary structure withoutadditional binding means. By using the laminae, the grain or layers offiber or other material forming the rotor extend transversely of thedisk .or rotor, the same forming a substantially uniform structure ofgreat hardness and durability throughout. The same may be shaped bysuitable dies and a hole punched or cut through in any desired manner,either before, during or after the forming. After the hole is provided,the

, sleeve '3 is positioned and the plate 9 forced over the'edge and downto overlie the opposite face of the disk. After the disk is thusconstructed, I place the. same in a. suitable grinder ,or equivalentmachine, and carcfully finish the edge, including the contact face 13,it being found desirable to finish the edge as accurately and assmoothly as pos sible so that the circumference or periphery is at allpoints uniformly distant from the axis of rotation and perfectly smooth.

The contact member on the rotor is arranged to cooperate with thedesired nun1 ber of contact points or members 17 as the rotor is driven.As shown, I provide a casing 16 of the desired size, shape and material,which normally incloses the rotor and prevents the admission of dust,dirt, moisture, grease, etc. thereto, the same being maintained inplace, in the construction shown, 3y its engagement with the body of theengine or other supports carrying the shaft 1 and a member 20 mounted onan adjacent part 21. Member 20 provided with a protruding part arrangedto engage in a depression in the end of the cover of the casing, itbeing understood, however, that the particular construction of thecasing and the method of supporting the same may be varied as desired.The construction illustrated, however, permits the casing to be shiftedor adjustedias will be hereinafter described. A bracket 19 and operatingrod 19' afford means for adjusting the casing. Arranged on the casingare the desired number of binding posts 15, the number depending nponthe particular use for which the device is intended to be used. For useon an internal combustion engine, I provide one binding post for eachspark plug, or other igniting device, the contacts on the spark plugsbeing connected therewith by suitable wires or the equivalents, in theusual manner. The binding posts extend within the casing, and areelectrically connected with spring members 18, carrying the contacts orbrush members 17. The springs extend in the direction of the rotation ofthe rotor, and serve the double purpose of maintaining the contactmembers 17 in engagement with the surface of the disk, and at the sametime as electrical conductors connecting the members 17 with the bindingposts. hen the casing or cover is of metal construction, the bindingposts are insulated from the casing by the washers 23 on the inside andsimilar washers on the outside, of suitable insulating material, and Ialso prefer to provide a strip 22 of non-conducting material around theinterior of the shell.

The operation of the device may be briefly described as follows:Assuming that the timer is applied substantially as shown, the bindingposts being connected with the ignition apparatus and the shaft 1grounded or connected with the source of electrical oncrgy, as the rotor2 is driven by the shaft, the contact member 9 at its face portion 13successively contacts with the several contact members 17 so that theseveral circuits through the several binding posts are successivelyclosed and opened. If the casing is shifted or adjusted, obviously thetime of contact with the members 17 and 9 is varied, being eitherretarded or advanced depending upon the adjustment made. \Vith thisconstruction, the membi-irs 17 are at all times maintained in perfectcontact with the face of the rotating rotor, which as before mentioned.is accurately formed. It will be particularly noted by referring to Fig.2 that each of the springs 18 extends from the end where the contactmember 17 is located to a point toward the opposite end, substantiallytangential to the finished edge or peripliery ofthe roton The casing maybe face of the disk. This construction also requires less pressure to beput on the contact 17 in order tomaintain the same in place, and thereis'consequently less wear on the parts.

By constructing the rotor in the manner described, of layers of fiber orthe like suit- I ably treated and formed, a substantially uniformstructure is secured, any difference in hardness or softness andtendency to wear beingbalanced by the hardness or softness of theadjacent layers in the rotor, which is impervious to water or moisture,and may be polished to a high degree, the same being maintained polishedby the contacts 17 drawing over the same with the substantially lightpressure referred to.

The timer may be easily and conveniently disassembled by simply swingingover the arm and.- removing the cover 16.

The points of contact between the member 17 and the plate 9 may beeasily cleaned if necessary. The rotor may be conveniently andcasilyremoved by merely taking off the nut 7. Owing to the fact that therotor is impregnated in the manner described, the same does not take upoils or grease irregularly about the surface, as would be the case wherea porous body was employed.

Extensive use and continuous hard tests have proved the rotor to beextremely hard and durable, with but slight wear on the contacts andface of the rotor. The rotor to a certain extent lubricates the contacts17, and reduces wear thereon, so that they are of long life and seldomrequire to be renewed. They also show that the device is not at allaffected by moisture or grease or oil, and

that a particularly efficient operation of the engine is secured.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without defparting fromthe spirit of my invention;

hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exactform, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shownand described, or uses mentioned.

"What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an ignition timer, a rotor comprising a disk of insulatingmaterial having a peripheral slot therein, and a central boretherethrough, a metallic bushing in said bore, a metallic contact memberhaving an arcuate portion in said peripheral slot, flush with theperiphery of the disk and overlying said disk at its sides, one of saidoverlying portions being radially extended inwardly of the disk andencirclingsaid bushing, said bushing having a recess therein, and saidradially extended portion of the contact member having a projectionthereon engageable in said recess to prevent relative rotationalmovement"therebetiveen.

2. In an ignition timer, a rotor comprising a disk of insulatingmaterial having a pe"- ripheral'recess therein and being axially bored,a metallic bushing in said bore, said metallic bushing having anannularly shouldered enlarged end portion, a metallic contact memberhaving an arcuate portion flush in said peripheral slot and overlyingsaid disk at its sides, one of said overlying portions of the memberbeing radially extended inwardly of the periphery and formed with a ringat the end encircling the reduced portion of the bushing, whereby saidring portion of the contact member may be clamped between the face ofthe disk and the annular shoulder of the bushing, and means between saidbushing and contact. member to prevent relative rotational movementtherebetween.

In combination with a rotatable shaft, a sleeve carried by the shaft, anoutwardly extending flange formed on the sleeve and provided with arecess therein, a rotor carried by the sleeve, and means carried by therotor and engageable in the recess of the flange for preventingrotatable movement of the rotor independently of the sleeve.

a. In combination with a rotatable shaft, a sleeve carried by the shaft,an outwardly extending flange formed on the sleeve and provided with arecess therein, a rotor carried by the sleeve, a contact member carriedby the rotor, and a lug formed on the contact member and engageable inthe recess of the sleeve flange for preventing rotatable movement of therotor independently of the sleeve. I

5. In an ignition device, a disk of insulating material and a contactmember at one side of said disk, having a part extending across and withits outer face flush with the periphery of said disk, in combinationwith a tubular sleeve extending centrally through said disk and saidcontact member, whereby said sleeve, said disk, and said contact memberare connected to form a unitary device locked against independent rotarymovement.

6.1n an ignition device, a disk of insulating material and a metalcontact member at one side of said disk having a part extending acrossand with its outer face flush with the periphery of said disk, incombination with a tubular sleeve extending centrally through said diskand contact member whereby said sleeve, said disk and said contactmember are connected as a unitary structure and rotate as such.

'7. In an ignition device, a disk of insulating material and a metalcontact mem her at one side of said disk having a part xt n ing acrosswi h it uter fa e flu h with the pgriphery of said disk, in combinationwith a b' la l ye ex nding 9e tlally through [said disk and "Said ontact membgr, and cobpl'gfi'ng means upon' said sleeve and saidcbntaQtYmBmbr adaptgd' to prevent rotary mOYQI B lt between them whgrgbysaid sleeve s a'i d disk gnd sjaid con tact member are, connected toconstitute a mitary structure adapted to rotary movemenths such. 10

' In ztesfniinqny whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

BURTON U. HILLS.

